Mindful not to cross the point of no return, Darcy drew back, only to feel Elizabeth pull him closer again. Reluctantly he began to withdraw from their embrace, but he was almost undone when he heard Elizabeth whimper with disappointment.
“Soon, my love, soon… ” he said, leaving the implication hanging in the air.
Chapter Seventeen
Elizabeth had told the maid not to wait up for her, so when she had finished her toilet and turned down the covers, she was pleased to see a warming pan in her bed.
Even the lateness of the hour could not induce sleep. Elizabeth was reliving every moment of the evening’s events. Darcy knew Elizabeth dearly loved to dance, and by taking her to Almack’s he had ensured she had plenty of chances to indulge. She danced two full sets with him, and four more besides. When she remembered the middle-aged Lord Entwistle’s stream of compliments, she giggled aloud. He had said her hair had a sheen to rival the sun, and her eyes were as dark as molasses. And how could she forget the most ludicrous tribute he had uttered all evening, ‘your lightness of foot, Miss Elizabeth, would rival the toes of a fairy.’ Being a model of decorum and affability, she had smiled and accepted all his outrageous compliments with grace.
As her thoughts turned to the events of the latter part of the evening, Elizabeth closed her eyes, hoping to recapture the essence of their encounter.
She had roused at Darcy’s first attempt to wake her, but she had been so comfortable, wrapped in his arms, that she had chosen to ignore his request. Then, as he tried for a second time, using such a sweet endearment, she had to stifle a smile. His tender words had caused the now recognisable flutter in her stomach to resurface, and she could not deny that she longed for him to kiss her again. She remained still, with baited breath, as she anticipated the delivery of his kiss, only to be disappointed when his lips made contact with the tip of her nose. After what seemed an eternity, he finally brushed her lips with a gentle touch of his mouth. The sigh of longing she had been holding in escaped as she surrendered her mouth to his sweet caress. His feather touch only made her lips ache for more, and she had looked up at him with open invitation…
Elizabeth repeated her call of his name, “William,” and even to her own ears, it was heavy with longing. Her reward had been a shower of delicate kisses around her eyes and temples, until finally, Darcy had returned to her mouth and claimed what she so willingly offered him. All too quickly, though, Darcy had pulled away, leaving her feeling bereft, abandoned even. And when she had tried to encourage him to resume his ministrations by pulling him back into her arms, he had resisted, however reluctantly.
The Countess of Jersey had put it in a nutshell; he was rich, undeniably handsome, and with no hint of a scandal attached to his name. So why then, was she reluctant to admit she had feelings for him? These last weeks, Darcy had proved he could be charismatic, charming, and even playful, and last night's outing was a testament to his ability to be thoughtful. In all respects, he was an excellent match for her, and every woman wanted to get married, didn’t they? She may not be ready to admit it to Darcy, but to herself, she must be true. Over the last week, her feelings toward him had undergone a material change.
Elizabeth had slept for barely six hours when Georgiana came to take her shopping, suggesting they return to Madame Rollini’s’ establishment.
“So soon, already?” Elizabeth asked.
“Madame Josephine is not only famous for her clothes and hot punch, Elizabeth, but she has also led a most exciting life. She regales me with tales of her adventures. Indeed, she is the bravest woman I know,” Georgiana gushed.
Elizabeth gave her a puzzled look.
“What adventures Georgiana? I give you she is French, but she is only a dressmaker, after all.”
Georgiana leant in closer, as if afraid of being overheard.
“Madame Rollini is really the Comtesse Josephine Rollini, and though her husband was twenty years her senior, it had been a real love match. Sadly, her poor husband, the Comte Rollini, did not manage to escape Madame Guillotine. However, before he was captured, he managed to bribe the captain of a fishing boat to bring Madame Josephine to our shores. She arrived with only a handful of clothes and one exquisite necklace, sewn into her corset. With no friends or family in England, she had to find a way to support herself. Fashion was the only thing she knew anything about, so she sold her jewels and set up a small shop. The ladies that work for her are all seamstresses that have also fled the war with France. They are from Paris, Miss Elizabeth, Paris! That is why Madame Rollini is the most sought after modiste in town. Her creations come straight from the French court!” Georgiana exclaimed gleefully.
“I see,” Elizabeth said. “And she had no-one to be her benefactor this side of the channel?”
“No, she used her charm and wit to stay alive until reaching London, where she sold her necklace,” replied Miss Darcy.
Having now learnt about Madame Rollini daring escape from the French Revolutionaries, Elizabeth would view her through new eyes. She could admire a woman with spunk, willing to take a risk to get what she wanted.
They spent a little time looking around the shop until Madame Rollini was free to spend some time with them. Then, sitting behind the partitioning curtain, sipping on a warm glass of punch, Madame Josephine spoke of her life before she came to England. She revealed how it had been love at first sight, and how he made her laugh. As a couple, they were inseparable, but sadly, they had not been blessed with children. They were very happy together and enjoyed an idyllic existence until the revolution started. With the country almost bankrupt, there was no longer enough food to feed the population. The Comte had done all that he could to help his own workers and tenants, but there was never enough for everyone. Madam Rollini did not blame the poor for what happened to her or her country, she blamed the rich, the people of her own class for being greedy and selfish. As the revolution expanded, and more and more of their friends were captured and executed, fleeing the country seemed the only safe option. Unfortunately, as they made their way to the port, the Comte was captured. He insisted that Josephine go on without him, and only later did she learn that he had been executed.
Hearing such tales of terror and hardship, gave Elizabeth new-found respect for the lady who had outrun the French revolutionaries, and in just a few years, made a new and successful life for herself.
Eventually, though, it was time to return to Grosvenor Square. Elizabeth had invited Miss Bingley for afternoon tea, so they must leave promptly. Madame Rollini walked with them to the door and kissed them on both cheeks. However, before they could pass through that portal, Caroline Bingley swept past them and into the shop.
“Miss Darcy,” she said, in her familiar nasal drawl, “how wonderful to see you again.”
No-one, least of all Elizabeth, was pleased to see this lady.
“Miss Bingley,” Georgiana replied with new-found confidence.
Caroline then turned her attention to Elizabeth. Speaking with only thinly veiled contempt, she said,
“Miss Eliza, I find I have a prior engagement this afternoon and must decline your kind invitation.”
Elizabeth gave a tight-lipped smile and replied that she quite understood.
Elizabeth then pretended to be engrossed in a pair of lilac gloves. The invitation to tea had been a pretext to get Caroline within earshot of James. Hoping that once he had heard Miss Bingley’s voice, he could confirm her as Wickham’s accomplice. How was that to be accomplished now?
Elizabeth had to think quickly. Thankfully, Darcy had insisted that James was their escort today. He had been impressed with his actions to protect Elizabeth the other evening. Maybe, she could find a way to smuggle him into the shop, where he would then still have a chance to hear Caroline’s voice.
Georgiana had initially glanced up at Elizabeth hoping she would rescue her from Miss Bingley. Instead, Elizabeth was giving her discreet hand signals, indicating for her to take Miss Bingley deeper into the shop. G
eorgiana was reluctant, but still, she asked Caroline if she would mind giving her an opinion on a bolt of cloth she was considering purchasing.
The instant Caroline’s back was turned, Elizabeth hurried out of the shop door and beckoned to James.
James hurried to answer Elizabeth’s summons but was embarrassed at what happened next.
Elizabeth took hold of James’s sleeve and pulled him inside the shop. Then, she positioned him in a corner by the window, where he was practically obscured by a dressed mannequin. With his back to the occupants of the shop, he could listen to their conversation without being observed.
“Oh, it is quite nice, in a provincial sort of way, but I fear, my dear Miss Darcy, that you must not take all that Miss Eliza says to heart. This fabric would never do for a soiree or ball in town. Now, this,” she continued as she picked up a garish bolt of turquoise cloth, “would look divine on you.”
Georgiana, who would not be seen dead in the unflattering shade of material, smiled sweetly and nodded as she waited for Elizabeth to usher James back out of the shop.
When Elizabeth popped her head around the shop door and smiled, Georgiana knew it was time to leave. Being braver than she had ever been before where Miss Bingley was concerned, Georgiana said,
“Thank you for your advice, Miss Bingley, but you must excuse us now. Elizabeth and I are having luncheon with William, and you know how he hates to be kept waiting. Good-day.” With that, Georgiana walked over to Elizabeth, linked arms with her and made for the exit.
“Well! Of all the nerve!” Miss Bingley exclaimed
Once outside, Elizabeth looked at James, who eagerly nodded his head in confirmation of her unspoken question; he had positively identified Caroline Bingley as George Wickham’s accomplice!
Darcy was surprised when Elizabeth asked to speak to him privately after luncheon. He knew what he hoped she was about to say but could not let his expectations rise just yet.
He saw Elizabeth settled in a comfortable armchair, then Darcy perched on the corner of his desk and waited for her to speak.
Now that it was time to confess all to Darcy, Elizabeth felt nervous about his reaction. She wet her lips and began by saying,
“Georgiana and I have not been entirely honest about the events of the other evening, Mr Darcy.”
If Darcy was shocked, or disappointed, he did not show it.
“Really, how so?”
“You see, Mr Wickham was not alone in the Hackney when he tried to abduct me. There was someone else in the carriage giving him instructions. Until this morning, I only had my suspicions as to the identity of this person, but now I am certain of it. I can confirm that the identity of George Wickham’s accomplice was,” Elizabeth paused to take a deep breath, before saying,
“Caroline Bingley.”
“Caroline Bingley? Are you certain?” Darcy asked with incredulity.
“Oh, yes. Your footman confirmed my suspicions this morning.”
“Damn and blast, Elizabeth! How could you keep this from me?” Darcy exploded before reining in his anger.
“Forgive me, but this complicates everything. With Charles and Miss Bennet’s upcoming marriage, we will be irrevocably bound to the Bingley family, including Caroline.”
Darcy ran his hands through his hair as he paced the room.
“I must send an express to Charles at once.”
Darcy stopped suddenly and turned to face Elizabeth.”
“Is this everything? You are holding nothing else back from me?”
Elizabeth looked a little shamefaced but steadfastly returned his gaze.
“There is nothing more to tell, you have my word.”
“Then you will excuse me, Elizabeth?”
Elizabeth left Darcy, knowing he would now write to Mr Bingley. Poor Jane. Darcy was right, everything now seemed tainted with hate and revenge. How could they ever get past this and live in harmony, knowing what Caroline had tried to do?
Chapter Eighteen
Darcy had despatched an express to Charles at Netherfield within an hour. In it, he urged Mr Bingley to come to Airwhile House immediately.
Dear Charles,
Something of a most serious nature has occurred,
and I must insist that you join me at Airwhile House without delay.
There is the possibility it will affect both yours and my future happiness.
I cannot write more now but will elaborate in person.
Tell no-one the nature of this missive.
Your friend
Fitzwilliam Darcy
On Darcy’s advice, Elizabeth had not mentioned Caroline’s betrayal in her letters home. He had indicated that he hoped the matter could be resolved to everyone’s satisfaction with as few people as possible knowing. Elizabeth could not see how this would be accomplished but had not voiced her doubts. She knew Mr Darcy to be a powerful and resourceful man. If anyone could sort this mess out, it was him.
Charles Bingley arrived at Airwhile house a little after ten the next morning.
Darcy’s letter had apparently alarmed him, and he quickly sought him out in the breakfast room.
“Darcy, what’s happened? Is everyone well? Your letter gave me quite a scare, but I see you and Miss Elizabeth are quite well. And your sister?” Bingley asked hurriedly as he acknowledged Elizabeth’s presence with a brief incline of his head.
Darcy stood and greeted Charles with a warm handshake.
“My sister is quite well, thank you, Charles. Come, let’s adjourn to the study, we won’t be disturbed there.”
Elizabeth watched the two men leave the room. She wondered how Darcy would break the news to his friend. It was a task she did not envy.
Immediately after the door closed behind him, Charles turned to Darcy and asked,
“What the devil is going on, Darcy? When I read your letter, I imagined all kinds of tragedies, but I arrive here to find everyone one is quite well?”
Darcy had wrestled with his conscience all night about how much he should reveal to his naive young friend, but, as disguise of any sort was abhorrent to him, he finally resolved that he must tell him everything. Even Georgiana’s foiled elopement.
Charles listened in stunned silence, and when Darcy finally revealed the name of Wickham’s accomplice, his blood began to boil. He thought Caroline was up to something when she asked for an advance on her allowance. But this! He had never imagined it would be something so sinister. He instantly saw the ramification it could have on his association with Jane and the Bennet family. Indeed, Mr Bennet would be well within his rights to retract his consent, thus ending any hope of marriage for both Darcy and himself. Even though Jane was of age and could marry at will, he knew she would not go against her father’s wishes.
Once, many years ago, Caroline had been a sweet-natured girl, eager to please and happy to help. Then, as their father’s fortune increased, and they moved up the social ladder, she started to shun all her old friends. Eventually, she blanked their humble beginnings from her memory, and discarded and denied everyone they had known before they had become wealthy and moved to the capital.
And now, she had sunk just about as low as she could get. Charles was at a loss. How could ever he make amends for what she had tried to do to Elizabeth?
“Charles?” Darcy repeated.
“Oh, yes?” replied Bingley.
Darcy was vexed at having to repeat all that he had just said, but Bingley must be the one to decide and resolve the course of action they must take.
“I said, I think we have a few options open to us. However, they all depend on two things. Whether your sister is still willing to heed your advice, or, whether she is in love with Wickham and now defers to him. If it is the latter, I’m afraid our task will be a much hard one.”
Charles already knew the answer to this question. Caroline was only interested in money and position. As a penniless deserter, Wickham would mean nothing to her, he was merely a pawn she had used to clear her path to Darcy. With
out asking Darcy, Charles knew Caroline only had two options open to her. Either she must marry, or she must retire from society. Somehow Charles couldn’t see his materialistic sister opting to give up all her worldly possessions to enter a convent.
“We both know what must be done. First, I will demand an explanation from Caroline regarding her appalling lack of judgement. Then, I will give her the option of either a convent or marriage. Do you have anyone suitable in mind, Darcy?” Charles said.
Darcy felt for his friend. The pained look on his face revealed the depth of his despair. Not for the first time, Darcy was thankful for how Georgiana had turned out.
“I do, as it happens. Do you recall when we stayed with Lord Byron at Newstead Abbey? The Earl of Standing was there with his eldest son, Henry. The tall, silent youth who spoke only when he deemed a reply was necessary? Well, he is looking for a wife. He has indicated that he is not interested in tying himself to a vain debutante with nothing in her head. He is looking for a woman who is as determined and as passionate about building his estate, as he is. However, the drawback, if you can call it that, is that he shuns London society, preferring to spend the year moving between his many country estates. Caroline will want for nothing, and he is not unpleasant to look at. What do you think? Should I contact him?”
Charles recalled the young man with perfect clarity. He would have been considered a catch if he had not been labelled a recluse by the Ton.
“No, thank you, Darcy. I will invite him to an intimate card party. If I ensure the other guests are either old or already married, hopefully, Henry and Caroline will be drawn to each other,” Charles said.
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